Funding Announced for Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre

On behalf of the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, MHA for Burin-Placentia West, and the Honourable Darin King, MHA for Grand Bank, were in Burin today to announce approximately $1.1 million in funding for capital equipment, repairs and renovations to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. Minister Jackman and Minister King were joined by Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO, Eastern Health; and, Kevin Lundrigan, Mayor of Burin.

"The funding announced today will ensure that essential services, such as general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics and critical care, remain available to residents living on the Burin Peninsula," said Minister Kennedy. "Our government recognizes the importance of maintaining these services and remains committed to making strategic investments to enhance health care programs and services in rural areas of the province."

Funding provided by the Provincial Government will be used to purchase medical and other equipment for the operating room, laboratory, emergency room, and laundry room. In addition, several repairs and renovations will be made, including electrical upgrades and exterior lighting.

"This investment in the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre ensures that all residents of the Burin Peninsula will have continued access to quality health care," said Minister Jackman. "This is another example of our government's commitment to improved health care for rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

While in the area today, the ministers toured the site of a new primary health care centre in Marystown North. Upon completion, the health care centre, comprising a team of health professionals assembled from within the region and health authority, including physicians, a nurse practitioner, and community health nurses, will enhance the accessibility and sustainability of primary health services for approximately 3,200 residents living north of Marystown on the Burin Peninsula. Services provided will include health promotion, illness prevention, management of acute and chronic disease, rehabilitation and end-of-life care. Budget 2010 includes $500,000 for the planning of this new centre.

"These continued investments are reflective of our government's commitment to health care within the province," said Minister King. "Today's investments in the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre will ensure quality health care for all residents on the Burin Peninsula."

"I would like to thank government for their continued support and investment in health care for the people of the Burin Peninsula," said Ms. Kaminski. "The funding announced today for the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre as well as for the new clinic in Marystown North will help us continue to provide essential services to the people of this area."

"This funding will help to deliver health care in a modern facility, providing money for equipment, repairs and renovations that will result in better service to the people in this area," said MHA Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue. "This funding reinforces the commitment of our government to bring the best possible healthcare to the people of our province."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future includes other strategic investments in health care programs and services on the Burin Peninsula, including $502,000 for roof repairs for the Blue Crest Nursing Home; approximately $115,000 to hire a full-time nurse practitioner to help provide continuous care to residents living in long-term care facilities; $110,100 to improve access to physiotherapy services in Grand Bank; $98,300 to expand the hours of operation of the operating rooms and special procedures at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre; $90,700 for equipment and electrical upgrades at the U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence; and, approximately $20,000 in Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants to support the Town of St. Lawrence and the Burin Senior Citizens Club to help create more age-friendly communities.

In Budget 2009, $1.1 million was allocated to the Blue Crest Nursing Home for the redevelopment of the kitchen and completion of renovations, and $158,000 to the US Memorial Health Centre for capital equipment, which included $143,000 for an x-ray machine.

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2010 08 04                                                   3:30 p.m.